But it is surely no coincidence that Mr Verheugen is pressing more strongly than ever these days for the creation of a European force strong enough to intervene in crises where the Americans do not wish to be involved.

ECONOMIST: Günter Verheugen, ever up-and-coming | The

These days, the issues likely to arouse workers, particularly in the private sector where employees are ever in fear of their jobs, are harder to come by.

ECONOMIST: Germany